The Verdict

After a long time the master . . .
returned and settled accounts.
      —Matthew 25:19

In Jesus’ parable of the talents (Mt 25:14–30), he said gifts are given to “each according to their ability.”

The two-talent servant was not required to produce at the level of the five-talent servant—but he was expected to produce, and he did. The one-talent servant was not required to produce at the level of the two-talent servant—but he was expected to produce, and he didn’t. He had done no harm; neither had he done any good.

The master’s verdict for the five- and two-talent servants was, “good and faithful.” His verdict for the one-talent servant was, “wicked and lazy.”

The talent we’ve been given is a coin with two sides: on one side is written “endowment;” on the other side “responsibility.”

We are not equal in talent
but we should be equal in effort.

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